Fern Marie Calhoun's Obituary
Fern Marie Calhoun, age 81 passed away peacefully on Sunday July 20, 2025, at Copper Creek Cottages surrounded by her loving family, after losing her battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Fern was born on February 8,1944, in Gila, Illinois. She was the daughter of George and Elsie Hensley. She married John W. Calhoun III on August 19,1961 in Mattoon, Illinois. They had three beautiful children and were married for 53 years, before he preceded her in death on August 7,2014.
She is survived by her three children: Phil (Shirley) Calhoun of Kansas, IL, Robert Calhoun of Charleston, IL, and Sherri (Gordon) Foote of Roxboro, NC, three siblings: Linda Ingram of Toledo, IL, Beverly (John) Whitlock of Charleston, IL, James (Melissa) Hensley of Mitchell, IN, five beautiful granddaughters: Trista (John) Clore, Ashley (Andrew) Helton, Nikki (Devin) Miller, Kristen (Adam) Bunn, Taylor (DeWayne) Vaughan, and seven beloved great-grandchildren: John Thomas “J.T.” Clore IV, Ty Helton, Ally Clore, Jett Miller, Will Miller, Brynn Miller, and Madison Liebesman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 53 years, eight siblings: Delbert Hensley, Albert Hensley, Norman Hensley, John Hensley, George Hensley, Mildred Hensley Homann, Irma Hensley Robinson, Peggy Hensley Colman.
Fern’s love for her family was extraordinary, that love also carried over to everyone she met. Friends would quickly turn into family. To know Fern was to love her. She had the sweetest, and kindest soul. When you were having a bad day or just needed a friend, you could always count on her to be there with a kind heart, open ear, and always a hug and a smile.
She had many hobbies she enjoyed when she wasn’t spending time with her family. She loved to crochet many items such as hand towels, Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, and many Afghans. She made an Afghans for all her kids, grand and great-grandchildren as well as many others for her friends. She liked watching the Hallmark channel while working on painting scenes on saw blades and metal milk cans. She loved to be outside in the garden planting things or messing with her flowers, especially when it came to her roses, Black-Eyed Susans, or Mexican Petunias. She loved sitting outside on the porch listening to all her windchimes and looking at her beautiful, landscaped yard. She also enjoyed attending sporting and racing events with her son Rob, while he was announcing.
Fern was a member of the Arcola First Christian Church, as well as a member of the Mattoon Eagles club. She worked at Ashmore Estates for many years and also worked at Eastern Illinois University sewing on patches and other items onto clothes and uniforms for the sports teams. She retired from Wal-Mart after 20 years, while she was there, she made several close friends who she would keep in touch with by going almost every morning for a coke at the local restaurants in town.
Fern leaves behind family and friends that loved her so much and will miss her dearly, but they will never forget her and will always cherish all the memories they have made with her over all the years.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 12 pm to 2 pm at Adams Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 2 pm with Pastor Brent Budd officiating and assisted by Pastor Ken Bunker. Burial will take place afterward at Bethel Cemetery in rural Mattoon.
Memorial donations may be made to Copper Creek Cottages Memory Care, 920 Country Club Road, Mattoon, IL 61938.
What’s your fondest memory of Fern?
What’s a lesson you learned from Fern?
Share a story where Fern's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Fern you’ll never forget.
How did Fern make you smile?